Q&A with Michela DiMarco

I got good grades in English, but I never inspired to be a writer in high school and I didn’t study English in college. I toyed around with the idea of getting a master’s degree in Fiction Writing, but ultimately, decided on a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution. I’m currently working on that now.

So, what have you written?

Her Hidden Past, The Anything Friend, Kalena and Hushed, the first novel in The Carolina Girls Series. (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)

Where can we buy or see them?

Amazon, Smashwords, and The Carolina Girls Series is being released bi-weekly on Channillo.

What are you working on at the minute?

I’m currently writing Shattered, the second novel in The Carolina Girls Series.

What’s it about?

It’s a continuation of Hushed, which was released about a year ago. We find Bradley Whitfield, (yes, she’s a girl!) and her love, Mark Harber fighting to put their lives back together after Bradley was almost murdered. The mystery surrounding that almost tragic night is almost buried by lies and deceit. What if the person who almost killed you was sleeping under the same roof?

Why do you write?

I write because I love it. I love the escape from reality. I love dreaming up characters and giving them life. Sometimes, they don’t turn out the way I imagine they will. Sometimes, they take on a life of their own and I am amazed at how that happens. But, I write what I feel, and feelings can be unpredictable. I am responsible for the world that I create and my characters become part of me, my reality, my world.

Where do the your ideas come from?

Dreams. My novels always start with a dream and end in a story.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

At first, I wanted to write as many new stories, as I could. I had all these ideas swirling around and I wanted to tell them all. However, readers of my first three novels were all asking for more. They had fallen in love with my characters and I was stumped because I felt like I had closed the story.
My forth novel, I promised to write as a series. Now, that I’m almost halfway done with the second novel, Shattered, I am loving writing a series, Carolina Girls. The first novel, Hushed came out last year. I am also releasing chapters every 2 weeks on Channillo.com. The series will continue on Channillo and the full novels will also be released as they are completed.

What do you think of “trailers” for books?

I am just starting to learn the basics of creating a book trailer and I think they’re pretty awesome. However, I’ve seen some trailers for novels that I was previously interested in reading and some of the trailers turned me off. I would like to release one for my series, Carolina Girls, but it has to be perfect.

What is your favourite quote?

I am a quote enthusiast! I begin each chapter of my novels with a new quote. My favorite, is a simple one. By Rudy, “Having dreams is what makes life tolerable.” I recite that quote every morning.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan. I was absolutely captivated by every word in the novel. The main character, Emma Thomas is so strong, but she views herself as weak. She meets Evan Matthews, and he compliments her every step. I felt myself holding my breath at times and then learning how to breathe again with Emma. I can’t explain how much you feel when you read this novel. And, feeling is something that I love to do when I’m writing.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

If you have an idea, if you think it, if you dream it, you can write it. My first novel started with a dream. Nanowrimo in November is a perfect motivation to write and get it all down. Don’t worry about all the other stuff that goes into perfecting and publishing. There are people out there that can help. The first part, you have to do yourself. And, anyone is capable of doing that if they have the desire.

*****

Thanks so much Michela for being a guest on the blog this week! Please be sure to follow her and check out her books!